Convertible bag platform

ABSTRACT

A holder or bag platform comprises a series of a non-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multiple parallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallel orientation to multiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come together in multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume. Moreover, the enclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range. The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are preferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panels can be added to the platform to increase the size of the bag platform and/or change the configuration.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of theco-pending U.S. provisional patent application, Application No.62/058,837, filed on Oct. 2, 2014, and entitled “CONVERTIBLE BAGPLATFORM”, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to bags and accessories forbags. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bag withadjustable dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When conventionally joining hook and loop fasteners, a structure withhooks is pressed in a face to face relationship to a structure withloops. The hooks capture the loops to releasably hold the two structurestogether. In conventional use, the hooks can be formed on an elongatedsubstrate such as a fabric and likewise the loops can be formed on acorrespondingly sized elongated substrate. Such uses are well known,such as a holder for a business suit or dress shirt for insertion into asuitcase. Such well known uses are adapted to provide that the elongatedhook and loop fastener substrates are in a substantially parallelorientation. This provides a single sized construction. To providemultiple sizes typically multiple parallel substrates of one or theother of hooks or loops are affixed to a surface to selectively receivethe corresponding substrate onto only one of the parallel substrates.However, this orientation provides only a predetermined and fixed numberof sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a holder or bag platform having anon-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multipleparallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallel orientation tomultiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come togetherin multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume. Moreover, theenclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range.The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are mostpreferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panelscan be added to the platform to increase the size of the Hag platformand/or change the configuration.

In one aspect, an adjustable packer for holding an item comprises a bodycomprising a first side and a second side, a first substrate formingnon-parallel sections of loop material on the first side; and a secondsubstrate forming non-parallel sections of hook material on the secondside, wherein the first side and the second side are joinable to enclosea volume within substantially any size range of the body. The body canbe rolled in order to join the first side and the second side. In someembodiments, the first substrate and the second substrate form chevronshaped sections of loop material and hook material. An interiordimension of the body is adjustable in order to change the size of thebody before the first side and the second side are joined. In someembodiments, the packer comprises an interior surface for protecting theitem enclosed within the packer. In some embodiments, the body comprisesone or more of a strap and a clip for attaching the packer to anadditional bag. In some embodiments, the packer comprises one or moreremovable bag ends. The removable bag ends can zip attach to the bodythrough one or more zippers. Alternatively, the removable bag ends canattach to the body through any appropriately desired mechanism.

In another aspect, a convertible bag platform comprises a bodycomprising a first group of hook fasteners and a first group of loopfasteners, wherein the first group of hook fasteners and the first groupof loop fasteners are configured to come together to grip in multipleplaces across the body to enclose a volume and one or more panels foradjusting the size of the enclosed volume. The one or more panels cancomprise one or more removable bag ends. In some embodiments, theremovable bag ends zip attach to the body through one or more zippers.Alternatively, the removable bag ends can attach to the body through anyappropriately desired mechanism. In some embodiments, the one or morepanels are foldable into the body. The body can be rolled to join thefirst group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners. Insome embodiments, the first group of hook fasteners and the first groupof loop fasteners form chevron shaped sections of loop material and hookmaterial. In some embodiments, an interior dimension of the body isadjustable in order to change the size of the body before the first sideand the second side are joined. In some embodiments, the convertible bagplatform comprises an interior surface for protecting the item enclosedwithin the packer. The body can comprise one or more of a strap and aclip for attaching the packer to an additional bag. In some embodiments,the body comprises one or more molle loops.

In a further aspect, a method of using an adjustable packer comprisesadjusting a size of a body of the packer and joining a first side of thebody and a second side of the body to enclose a volume withinsubstantially any size range of the body. In some embodiments, one ormore panels are joined with the body in order to adjust the size of thebody. In some embodiments, different panels are joined with the body toadjust the shape of the body. The one or more panels can zip attach tothe body through one or more zippers. In some embodiments, an interiordimension of the body is adjustable in order to change the size of thebody before the first side and the second side are joined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an adjustable packer in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 1C-1F illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an adjustable packer accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an adjustable packer in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an adjustable packer in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate a convertible bag and platform in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of using an adjustable packer in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an item holder and bagplatform having a non-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably,there are multiple parallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallelorientation to multiple substrates of loops. The system is configured tocome together in multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume.Moreover, the enclosed volume can be formed in substantially any sizewithin a range. The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, butare preferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or morepanels can be added to the platform to increase the size of the bagplatform and/or change the configuration.

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of an itemholder and bag platform having a non-parallel hook and loop substratesas described below and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thesame reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and thefollowing detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Inthe interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance withapplication and business related constraints, and that these specificgoals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, an adjustable packer is depicted therein. Theadjustable packer 100 comprises a body 101 comprising a front side asshown in FIG. 1A and a back side as shown in FIG. 1B. The front sidecomprises a first substrate 103A forming one or more sections of loopmaterial. As shown within FIG. 1A, the one or more sections of loopmaterial comprise non-parallel sections. In some embodiments the one ormore sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shapedsections. The back side comprises a second substrate 103B from one ormore sections of hook material. As shown within FIG. 1B, the one or moresections of hook material comprise non-parallel sections. In someembodiments the one or more sections of hook material comprise one ormore chevron shaped sections. The front side and the back side arejoinable to enclose a volume within the adjustable packer 100.Particularly, the front side and the back side are configured to bejoined to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of thebody 101 and hold an object.

In some embodiments, the body 101 is rolled to join the front side andthe back side and enclose the volume. The first substrate 103A formingone or more sections of loop material and the second substrate 103Bforming the one or more sections of hook material are joined to enclosethe object. The non-parallel shape of the one or more sections of loopmaterial and the non-parallel shape of the sections of hook materialensure that the front side and the back side of the adjustable packerare able to be joined to enclose a volume within substantially any sizerange of the body 101 and hold the object. In addition, by rolling thebody 101, compression can be provided to the object that is held and ina releasable manner.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer100 comprises a first handle 105A and a second handle 105B. In someembodiments, the adjustable packer 100 also comprises one or more loops107A and 107B. The one or more loops 107A and 107B and enable theadjustable packer 100 to be fixed to a person or object through a strapand/or clip. In further embodiments, the one or more loops 107A and 107Benable the adjustable packer 100 to be affixed to a bag, backpack orother object through a strap, clip and/or any other desirable mechanism.Likewise, other objects can be affixed to the adjustable packer 100. Insome embodiments, the handles and loops can comprise nylon webbing orother appropriately desired material. Additionally, because the packercan be rolled the interior surface provides protection for items thatmay be sensitive to hook and loop attachments.

FIGS. 1C-1F illustrate the adjustable packer 100 in use. As shown withinFIG. 1C, the packer 100 is rolled out flat before use. Then, as shownwithin FIG. 1D, a packable object 115 is placed on the adjustable packer100. As described above, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 100is rolled to join the one or more sections of loop material and the oneor more sections hook material are joined to hold the object 115 withinthe adjustable packer 100. As further shown in FIG. 1F, the adjustablepacker 100 can be used to hold items within substantially any size rangeof the body.

In some embodiments, the adjustable packer 100 is configured to fitinside a larger pack such and a backpack or other bag. In this manner,the adjustable packer 100 can be used to hold items such as shoes,clothes, jackets and other items and separate items within a larger bag.In some embodiments, the adjustable packer comprises a waterproof and/orwater resilient fabric that can be used to hold wet and/or dirty itemsor other such items that it is desired to separate within the largerpack.

FIG. 2A illustrates an outside view of an adjustable packer inaccordance with further embodiments. Similar to the adjustable packer100 as described above, the adjustable packer 200 comprises a body 201comprising a first substrate 203A forming one or more sections of loopmaterial. The one or more sections of loop material comprisenon-parallel sections. As described above, in some embodiments the oneor more sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shapedsections.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 200comprises a first handle 205A and a second handle 205B. In someembodiments, the adjustable packer 200 also comprises one or more loops207A and 207B. The one or more loops 207A and 207B and enable theadjustable packer 100 to be fixed to a person through a strap and/orclip. In further embodiments, the one or more loops 207A and 207B enablethe adjustable packer 200 to be affixed to a bag, backpack or otherobject through a strap, clip, and/or any other desirable mechanism.Likewise, other objects can be affixed to the adjustable packer 200. Inaddition, in some embodiments, the packer also comprises one or moremolle loops 209. The molle loops 209 can provide further points of gripfor the packer 200 for use as handles. Alternatively, or in conjunction,the molle loops 209 can be used as a point of suspension and/used toattach additional objects to the exterior of the packer 200. In someembodiments, the handles and loops can comprise nylon webbing or otherappropriately desired material.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the body 201 comprisesan adjustable interior dimension 213. A size of the body 201 can beadjusted by zipping a left side zipper 223A with a right side zipper223B. When the left side zipper 223A is joined with the right sidezipper 223B, the body 201 of the packer 200 decreases in size by thesize of the interior dimension 213. In this manner the interiordimension 213 can be closed (zipped) or opened (unzipped). In someembodiments, the packer 200 further comprises a series of side zippers211A-211D. The zipper 211A is joined with the zipper 211B and the zipper211C is joined with the zipper 211D to join a left side 210 and a rightside 220 of the packer 200. When the left side 210 is joined with theright side 220, the packer 200 forms an interior volume and can be usedas a tote or other such bag using the handle 219. As described above,the interior volume of the formed bag may be adjusted by closing and/oropening the interior dimension 213.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, an inside view of the body 201 of the packer200 as shown within FIG. 2A. As shown within FIG. 2B, the inside of thebody 201 comprises a second substrate 203B from one or more sections ofhook material. As shown within FIG. 1B, the one or more sections of hookmaterial comprise non-parallel sections. In some embodiments the one ormore sections of hook material comprise one or more chevron shapedsections. In some embodiments, similar to FIG. 1, as described above,the outside and the inside of the packer 200 are joinable to enclose avolume within the adjustable packer 200. Particularly, the front sideand the back side are configured to be joined to enclose a volume withinsubstantially any size range of the body 201 and hold an object. Asdescribed above, the size of the body 201 can be adjusted by closingand/or opening the interior dimension 213. Opening and closing theinterior dimension 213 also adjusts the volume than can be used to holdan object. As further shown within FIG. 2B, in some embodiments theadjustable packer 200 comprises an interior surface 230 for protectingitems held by the packer 200. In this manner, the interior surface 230may be used to separate items held by the packer 200. In someembodiments, when the interior surface is not in use it is rolled up andsecured using the loop material 233A and the hook material 233B.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate the adjustable packer 200 in use as a roller. Asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 1C-1F, the packer 200 is rolled out flatbefore use. Then, as shown within FIG. 3B, a packable object 210 isplaced on the adjustable packer 200. As described above, in someembodiments, the adjustable packer 200 is rolled to join the one or moresections of loop material and the one or more sections hook material arejoined to hold the object 215 within the adjustable packer 200. Asfurther shown in FIG. 3C, the adjustable packer 200 can be used to holditems within substantially any size range of the body.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate the adjustable packer 200 in the process ofconversion to a tote, such as described above. As shown within FIG. 4A,the left side and the right side of the packer 200 have been joined toform an interior volume, such as described above and the interiordimension is in the open position. As shown within FIG. 4B, and asdescribed above, the volume of the packer can be adjusted by joining thetwo sides of the interior dimension, resulting in the tote bag such asshown in FIG. 4C. Particularly, an inner volumetric size of the packer200 can be reduced with the interior dimension.

FIG. 3 illustrates an outside view of an adjustable packer in accordancewith yet further embodiments. Similar to the adjustable packers 100 and200 as described above, the adjustable packer 300 comprises a body 301comprising a first substrate 303A forming one or more sections of loopmaterial. The one or more sections of loop material comprisenon-parallel sections. As described above, in some embodiments the oneor more sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shapedsections.

The packer 300 also comprises a second substrate forming one or moresections of hook material on the opposite side of the packer 300, suchas described in relation the adjustable packer 100 and the adjustablepacker 200, as described above. The one or more sections of hookmaterial comprise non-parallel sections. As described above, in someembodiments the one or more sections of hook material comprise one ormore chevron shaped sections. As described above, in some embodiments,the body 301 is rolled to join the front side and the back side andenclose the volume. When the packer is rolled a panel 340 of the body301 is folded into the body before the packer 300 is rolled to join thehook and loop sections. Although the panel 340 is shown connected to thebody 301, in some embodiments, the panel 340 removably couples with themain body 301.

As shown in FIG. 3, the adjustable packer 300 comprises a side zipper311 coupled to the left side 310 and a side zipper 311B coupled to theright side 320. The zipper 311A is joined with the zipper 311B to jointhe left side 310 and the right side 320 of the packer 300. Theadjustable packer 300 also comprises a bottom zipper 312A coupled to theleft side 310 and a bottom zipper 312B coupled to the right side 320.The zippers 312A and 312B are joined with the zipper 343 of the panel340 to connect the panel 340 with the body 301 of the packer 300. Whenthe panel 340 is joined with the packer and the zippers 311A and 311Bare joined an interior volume is created and the packer 300 can becarried as a tote using the handles 319. In some embodiments, the packer300 comprises a cinch sack 323 which is closed using the drawstrings327. In some embodiments, the cinch sack 323 can be zipped into a top ofthe body 301 to enclose the top of the packer 300. As further shownwithin FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the packer 300 comprises a malebuckle 317B and a female buckle 317A which can be joined to furtheradjust the packer 300. In further embodiments, the packer 300 comprisesone or more molle loops and/or loops for securing additional objects tobody 301.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the adjustable packer 300 in use as a roller.As described above, the packer 200 is rolled out flat before use. Then,as shown within FIG. 6B, a packable object 315 is placed on theadjustable packer 300. As described above, in some embodiments, theadjustable packer 300 is rolled to join the one or more sections of loopmaterial and the one or more sections hook material are joined to holdthe object 315 within the adjustable packer 300. As further shown inFIG. 3C, the adjustable packer 300 can be used to hold items withinsubstantially any size range of the body.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate the adjustable packer 300 in the process ofconversion to a tote, such as described above. As shown within FIG. 7A,the right side 320 of the body 301 has been joined by the zippers withthe panel 340 in the process of converting the packer 300 to a tote. Inthe step, 7C the left side 310 of the body is joined by the zippers withthe panel 340 and then as shown within FIG. 7D, the left side 310 andthe right side 320 are zipped together to form a tote bag with aninterior volume for carrying one or more objects.

FIG. 8 illustrates an adjustable packer in accordance with furtherembodiments. The adjustable packer is similar to the adjustable packers,100, 200, and 300 as described above. As shown within FIG. 8A, thepacker 400 comprises a first panel 440 and a second panel 445 coupled tothe body 401. In some embodiments, the first panel 440 and the secondpanel 445 are configured to removably couple to the main body 401. Insome embodiments, the packer 400 is able to be rolled by folding thefirst panel 440 and the second panel 445 and hold an object such asdescribed above. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first panel andthe second panel can be joined to the main body using zippers or othersimilar mechanism, such as described above. As shown within FIG. 8B,when the first panel 440 and the second panel 445 are joined with themain body 401, a back pack is formed. The backpack can function similarto a conventional backpack and can hold things within a center pocket.In addition, in some embodiments, the packer 400 comprises one or moremolle loops and/or loops for securing additional objects to body 401,such as described above.

In some embodiments, an adjustable packer can be configured anadjustable platform. In this manner, the packer can be equipped with aplurality of different removable panels to form different bags. As shownwithin FIG. 9A, an adjustable packer 500 can be configured with a body501, similar to the body 100 and 200, of the packers described above. Assuch, the body 501 can be configured with a first substrate 503A formingone or more sections of loop material comprising non-parallel sectionssuch as chevron shaped sections of loop material. Additionally, the body501 can comprise a second substrate on the opposite side of the bodyforming one or more sections of hook material comprising non-parallelsections such as chevron shaped sections of hook material. The packer500 can be rolled and the hook and loop material adhere to one anotherto enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body 501and hold an object, such as described above. In some embodiments, thebody packer can form a tote bag and/or the interior volume of a formedbag may be adjusted by closing and/or opening an interior dimension. Insome embodiments, the packer 500 comprises one or more molle loopsand/or loops for securing additional objects to body 501, such asdescribed above.

The packer platform 500 can be combined with one or more zip in sides ofvarious shapes to change the shape and the type of the bag based uponneed, environment, occasion. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B-9E, theplatform 500 can be combined with one or a plurality of panels foradjusting a size and/or shape of the packer 500. Any appropriatelydesired shape of panel can be combined with the platform body 501 toform a packer of desired volume and shape. For example, in someembodiments, two panels can be joined on a bottom side and a top side ofthe body 501 to form one of a briefcase, backpack and/or gym bag.Additionally, the platform body 501 can be manipulated to form the toteand/or roll bags, such as described above. Changing the size and/orshape of the panels that couple to the body 501 changes the geometricshape of the finished bag 500.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of using an adjustable packer and packerplatform, such as described above. The method begins in step 1010. Inthe step 1020, a size of the platform and/or packer body is adjusted andin the step 1030, a first side of the body and a second side of the bodyare joined to enclose a volume with substantially any size range of thebody. The method of claim 19, wherein one or more panels are joined withthe body to adjust the size of the body. In some embodiments, one ormore panels are joined with the body to adjust a size of the body. Theone or more panels can zip attach to the body through one or morezippers. In some embodiments, an interior dimension of the body isadjustable to change the size of the body before the first side and thesecond side are joined.

In operation, a holder or bag platform comprises a series of anon-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multipleparallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallel orientation tomultiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come togetherin multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume. Moreover, theenclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range.The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are preferablyformed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panels can be addedto the platform to increase the size of the bag platform and/or changethe configuration.

Particularly, the holder and bag platform can take many forms includinga flat, two handed hauler, a compression sack created when the bag isrolled to hold an item, and a slim tote formed by attaching a body ofthe bag to itself. Additionally, zip on or otherwise attachable panelscan expand the bags capacity to create a day bag such as a messenger bagand/or a gym bag. Moreover, when not in use as a bag itself, the holderand bag platform can be folded flat and/or rolled and placed withanother bag or otherwise stored until it is later needed. Accordingly,the convertible bag and platform as shown herein has many advantages.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreferences, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made inthe embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable packer for holding an item, the adjustable packer comprises: a. a body comprising a first side and a second side; b. a first substrate forming non-parallel sections of loop material on the first side; and c. a second substrate forming non-parallel sections of hook material on the second side, wherein the first side and the second side are joinable to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body.
 2. The adjustable packer of claim 1, wherein the body is rolled to join the first side and the second side.
 3. The adjustable packer of claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate form chevron shaped sections of loop material and hook material.
 4. The adjustable packer of claim 1, wherein an interior dimension of the body is adjustable to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined.
 5. The adjustable packer of claim 1, further comprising an interior surface for protecting the item enclosed within the packer.
 6. The adjustable packer of claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more of a strap and a clip for attaching the packer to an additional bag.
 7. The adjustable packer of claim 1, further comprising one or more removable bag ends.
 8. The adjustable packer of claim 7, wherein the removable bag ends zip attach to the body through one or more zippers.
 9. A convertible bag platform comprising: a. a body comprising a first group of hook fasteners and a first group of loop fasteners, wherein the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners are configured to come together to grip in multiple places across the body to enclose a volume; and b. one or more panels for adjusting the size of the enclosed volume.
 10. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the one or more panels comprise one or more removable bag ends.
 11. The convertible bag platform of claim 10, wherein the removable bag ends zip attach to the body through one or more zippers.
 12. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the one or more panels are foldable into the body.
 13. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the body is rolled to join the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners.
 14. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners form chevron shaped sections of loop material and hook material.
 15. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein an interior dimension of the body is adjustable to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined.
 16. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, further comprising an interior surface for protecting the item enclosed within the packer.
 17. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the body comprises one or more of a strap and a clip for attaching the packer to an additional bag.
 18. The convertible bag platform of claim 9, wherein the body comprises one or more molle loops.
 19. Method of using an adjustable packer comprising: a. adjusting a size of a body of the packer; and b. joining a first side of the body and a second side of the body to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein one or more panels are joined with the body to adjust the size of the body.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more panels zip attach to the body through one or more zippers.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein an interior dimension of the body is adjustable to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined. 